Chapter 5: The edge of the forest

It was one of the last days of summer. The leafs already changing colour, but a pleasant warmth lay in the air. I decided to go for a walk after my last lesson, History of Magic. Belvina and Josephina took my bag back to our room, so I wouldn't have to go there first.

I was walking at the edge of the black lake, when I saw a tentacle from the giant squid. After a month here, I had to admit that Hogwarts suited me well. It was still odd to have a warm fire in every room and meals that could only described as lavish. Durmstrang was different.

It was cold, with a meagre interior and taught its students simplicity. Hogwarts was compared to this babying their students. I couldn't decide what was the better solution. Many couldn't survive Durmstrang, after all. The weak are useless in the opinion of the teachers there. But they could be used in different ways. Such a waste of resources.

Walking to the edge of the forest I lost myself in my thoughts, enjoying the fresh air and sunrays on my skin.

Nobody had tried to mess with me since the incident in the girl's bathroom, but Tom Riddle had kept a close eye on me. The Professors were impressed by my abilities and the students intimidated, except for him. And yet I knew he didn't see me as a threat, yet. I had to keep it that way under any circumstances. I would become Head Girl and leave Hogwarts with excellent recommendations, that was the plan. I couldn't allow myself to get sidetracked by some overeager Prefect. My feet took me to the little pumpkin patch next to Ogg's hut, the keeper of keys.

Closing my eyes, I took another deep breath and filled my lungs with the fresh highland air. When I opend them again, I could see something moving from the corner of my eye.

The first curse fell even before I could turn around, letting the pumpkin closest to me blow up. I took out my wand with a fluid, quick motion and cast shiel charm, just in time to block another curse.

Two hooded figures were hiding in the trees at the edge of the forest, pointing their wands at me.

A smile crossed my face while I threw a Blasting Curse their way.

"Confringo!"

One produced a strong shield charm that could reduce the impact of my curse. The figure was still blasted a few metres into the forest. The other jumped behind a giant treetrunk. The tree was shaking vehemently, while purples flames were shot towards me, I simply reflected them. Making the tree fall once and for all. The other one was back from his little flight into the forest, limping.

"Reducto!"

This time his or her shield charm was strong enough and my curse had no impact.

The one who was hiding behind the fallen tree struggled to their feet. I used the few seconds I had after casting my last curse to throw another blasting curse in their direction.

"Protego!" A blue light had almost reached me before I could block it.

The curse had the consequence that the figure was bleeding heavily from one shoulder and withdrew deeper into the forest, I attempted to follow when a hex missed me by inches. The limping person walked slowly backwards, wand still pointed at me.

My temper flared and I shouted: "Incendio!"

A fire wall hit the first trees and quickly took over many more. Now the edge of their robes smouldering, I sent a cutting hex the way of the limping shadow. It got deflected and hit a nearby tree. One silhouette had already vanished, so I walked down the hill on which the pumpkin patch lay. I wouldn't lose the other one. The fire was raging and a heat wave hit me in the face, but I didn't care. I started to hear voices behind me, not daring to leave the staggering hooded figure out of my sight, I reached the beginning of the forest. Suddenly a dark cloud appeared around my attacker, making it harder for me to continue sending curses their way. I went on nonetheless.

"Stupefy!"

My voice was barely audible over the sound of the blazing flames, surrounding me on all sides now. The deeper I advanced into the forbidden forest, the darker it got. Throwing courses left, right and centre, since I couldn't see my opponent anymore. The fire helped my sight, but my eyes started to water and the dark cloud in front of me had expanded. No curses or spells came back. That would mean they could flee or I caught them with one of mine. My mind was blank and anger dominated all my actions. I enjoyed this immensly. The voices behind me grew louder and I thought I could hear hoofs in the distance. After several minutes I had to admit that I was lost and the smoke I was inhaling didn't do me any good. My vision blurred and I turned around in the direction of the voices.

"Aguamenti!" The water didn't help much, but I could slowly make my way back. I held a handkerchief in front of my nose and mouth. After a while I could make out shapes, fighting the fire. There were shouts when they saw me slowly emerging, Professor Dumbledore and Slughorn and a few Prefects tried to tame the blaze.

I realised that the ground they stood on looked like the battlefield it was, as if bombs had been dropped on it. It took all the self-control I had to keep walking straight and not fall on my knees. The shocked expressions around me didn't interest me in the slightest. When I looked down, I could see that the hex hadn't missed me completely. There was a nasty cut in my leg and several minor cuts on one arm, the adrenaline had served me well, it seemed. A nurse and Professor Kettleburn hurried my way, trying to support me. I wouldn't let them.

Taking all energy that was left in my body, I turned around, starting to fight the fire as well.

I barely noticed Professor Slughorn's surprised look, I must have looked fierce. It took us almost an hour to stop the fire from spreading.

I didn't care if the forest would burn down with every creature living in it. That was the reason I had cast the spell in the first place, it was most likely to hit both my enemies. I didn't care for any consequences at all, as long as they lay dead at my feet. My anger fuelling my magic, I took on a massiv blaze that almost caught a sixth year. When the fire was extinguished, I wanted to curse myself for letting them escape. I doubted that two corpses lay in the forest. My fury must have been clearly visible on my face, nobody tried to approach me when I made my way to the Hospital Wing. Students, ghosts and teachers seemed to gape at me, of course I didn't realise it at the time, I was far too busy being angry with myself. Slughorn, Dumbledore, Headmaster Dippet and the nurse followed behind me with questioning looks.

When we reached our destination, I sat down on a hospital bed and let the nurse do her job. My hands were shaking with rage, as Professor Dippet opened his mouth.

"Do you feel able to tell us what you know of the circumstances that caused this fire ?"

I collected myself as well as I could and glanced into his brown eyes.

"I was attacked, while I was going for a walk." I spoke through gritted teeth.

"Yes, yes. There were witnesses that clearly saw a fight, but can you tell us who attacked you or why?"

"No, they had hoods on. I couldn't even tell you if they were male or female. As for the reason, I am just as clueless as you are."

"They?" Professor Slughorn seemed mortified, taking a step closer and gave me a puzzled look.

"Two." I simply replied.

At this point Professor Dumbledore began to speak: "How could you have fought off two attackers when they apperently surprised you and come out of this with nothing more than a few cuts?"

My eyes fixed on him, iciliy.

"Oh, Albus. I think I can explain this. Miss Crane here was Durmstrang Institute's best student. I don't think that we should doubt her abilities to defend herself," Dippet answered before I had a chance.

Slughorn's face lit up next to me and he laid a protective hand on my uninjured shoulder, obviously very proud. This information must have been new to him too, by the look of it. Dumbledore just nodded.

"And in the course of this fight the forest caught fire, if I understand correctly," continued Dippet.

"Yes. They might still be out there. I injured them and they fled deeper into the forest. One was limping and the other one was bleeding quite a lot from one shoulder."

"So you followed them all on your own into the burning forest ?" I looked up at Slughorn and said with a steady voice: "Of course."

His eyes started to gleam.

"Your father's daughter, without a doubt." He replied with a little smirk.

The nurse, Madam Bingley, glanced up at me from my injured leg.

"You shoud stay in the Hospital Wing, just to be sure. You might have breathed in too much smoke."

"Absolutely not, I feel well. And if I have any problems I know where to find you." My voice did not leave any room for arguements. None of the Professors commented on my answer, they seemed to know when a battle was lost.

After she had healed most of the cuts I turned to Professor Dippet, who was deep in thought.

"How could they get into Hogwart's Grounds? They were certainly no students, I know that much. That must mean they used to go to school here, doesn't it?"

"I'm afraid we don't know, yet. We'll have to investigate further. From now on you should not leave the castle, except for classes."

I nooded simply, no energy left to fight back, noticing the soreness now. My body was screaming for rest.

"I will escort you to your room, you must be exhausted. I think you answered all our questions." The old potions master took my arm and I followed him without a word.

I barely heard the other two Professors saying their Godd-byes.

The silence I so yearned for was broken when we reached the dungeons.

"After the Headmaster's look, you must have made quiet an impression on him."

"Professor Dumbledore seemed less impressed," I argued.

"Jealousy. He would have wanted you in his house, of course. Think about how brave you have proofed yourself today." A self-satisfied expression settled on his face. I could hear him mumbling something like:" Durmstrang's best...in Slytherin."

We entered the deserted common room. Ah, it was dinner time, my stomach reminded me.

The Professor let go of my arm and turned to face me.

"I will tell one of the elves to bring you something to eat and I would suggest that you go to bed early. And don't worry, you don't have to go to lessons tomorrow. We want to be sure that you are absolutely fine." He smiled fatherly at me and I was thankful for the opportunity to rest.